Green Yesterday, Code Today

Thanks to the green-building movement, energy efficiency is becoming a mainstay in the IRC and the IECC. But what does it mean to you?

Energy-efficiency updates have become part of the major building codes, but what does that mean for you? Building-code expert and building official Lynn Underwood takes a look at what to expect with the newest code revisions, which include performing blower-door tests; insulating mass walls; using more efficient windows; reducing the size of cathedral ceilings; installing vapor retarders; insulating mechanical pipes; programming thermostats; exceeding the energy code; and using more efficient lighting. This article also includes a sidebar on deciphering and navigating the building code.